Upon the closure of St. Petri-Hope Lutheran Church, funds from the sale of the building were set aside to be used for future ministry in Northeast Philadelphia. So now congregations in the Northeast/Northwest Conference as well as Immanuel Somerton are welcome to apply for these funds. Applications will be taken on a rolling basis each...
Author Archive
August 3, 2023
Mission Grants for Congregations in NE/NW Philadelphia
Upon the closure of St. Petri-Hope Lutheran Church, funds from the sale of the building were set aside to be used for future ministry in Northeast Philadelphia. So now congregations in the Northeast/Northwest Conference as well as Immanuel Somerton are welcome to apply for these funds. Applications will be taken on a rolling basis each...
August 3, 2023
Resourceful Servants Unveils Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment Program
The ELCA’s Resourceful Servants Initiative promotes the financial wellness of congregations, rostered ministers and seminarians. For many rostered ministers, financial stress—frequently caused by personal financial challenges or by congregational or organizational financial challenges–stands in the way. To support growth in both individual and organizational financial health, Resourceful Servants is launching the Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment...
August 3, 2023
The ELCA Wants to Hear Your Opinion
Throughout the next couple of months, the ELCA is asking for your help. We are looking for your thoughts and ideas on how we are called to be a church in today’s world. Please visit our website on Future Church: God’s Love Made Real –https://lovemadereal.elca.org – where you can watch a video from Presiding Bishop...
May 18, 2023
SEPA at African Lutheran Conference
Bishop Patricia Davenport was guest speaker at the opening worship of the Second International African Lutheran Conference on April 23 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Monrovia, Liberia. The Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis helped organize the event.The conference is sponsored by African National Ministries of the ELCA. Participants learned about the history of Liberia, including the...
May 18, 2023
Katie’s Cupboard at Tabor
Katie’s Cupboard @ Tabor opened in August, 2019 and grew rapidly during the pandemic. In 2022 Katie’s Cupboard provided food for more than 500 unique households representing more than 2,000 individuals. Currently they serve 100-120 households each week. Hear their story and take a look behind the scenes in this video. Watch now
May 18, 2023
LAMPa Honors Rev. Matt Staniz
The Rev. Matt Staniz, lead pastor of St. Luke, Devon, was one of the 2023 Advocacy Honorees acknowledged by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania at its annual Lutheran Day at the Capitol April 27. Over the past 14 years, he has become a leading faith-based voice for the ONE Campaign, a grassroots campaign to end...
March 22, 2017
Council Officers’ Gathering Inspires, Informs
More than 80 lay congregation council leaders participated in Bishop Claire Burkat’s annual Council Officers’ Gathering on March 18. ‘Here’s what I love about the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod: You!” the bishop told the council presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and treasurers gathered at LTSP’s Benbow Hall. “I love our leaders, and today I especially celebrate our lay leaders....
August 16, 2016
ELCA elects vice president
William B. Horne II of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Clearwater, Fla., was elected vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Horne was elected on the fourth ballot with 565 votes to 175 votes for Cheryl G. Stuart of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, Fla., and 161...
August 16, 2016
ELCA approves Word and Service roster
The 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, by a vote of 811 to 55, approved adoption of the roster of Ministry of Word and Service. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, associates in ministry, deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and diaconal ministers will be a single, unified roster of Ministry of...
August 16, 2016
ELCA presiding bishop reflects on work of the church and looks to future priorities
In her report to the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reflected on the ELCA’s work over the past three years and lifted up future priorities for the church. Eaton said much of her focus the past three years has been on the “how and why...
February 10, 2015
Churches Affected by Child Protection Laws
Pennsylvania recently passed new legislation regarding protection of children that affect all churches. Under state law clergy, paid staff and volunteers who work with children and youth in any capacity are now “mandated reporters” who must report suspected child abuse directly to authorities. The law also now requires all employees and volunteers who work with...
February 4, 2015
Eaton: Church is Place for Deep Conversation About Race
Let’s talk. In her February column in The Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton admits that it’s difficult to talk about race in this country. But not talking about it won’t make it go away. She’s convinced that “not only is the church the appropriate place for this conversation, it might be the only place where the...
December 10, 2014
Thanks to You Thousands Have Christmas
For this year’s Christmas Ingathering, about 65 congregations collected donations for vulnerable people. On Dec. 7, about 50 volunteers (mostly from Gloria Dei Church, Huntingdon Valley) unpacked trucks, sorted donations and repacked them for delivery. The items, valued at about $95,000, will serve people locally and internationally. Some highlights of the Ingathering included: Congregations gave...
